We will celebrate Memorial Day through stories of some who fought and died in battle (and those who loved them), and stories of some who brought artistry and faith to the essential work of remembering the wars that have defined us, and the warriors who fought.
Sunday Circles (formerly Coffee Hour Circles) continue this Sunday, May 30 after the service (11 a.m. to noon). Offering a time for deeper connection, with the assistance of a facilitator and other attendees, the group takes time to reflect on the sermon topic and where they are in the present moment. As an alternative to coffee hour, Sunday Circles follow a structured format where participants take turns speaking and listening.
NOTE: To join Sunday Circles after the service, use this link: bit.ly/3gYMJqG. You do not need to go to Coffee Hour first. For audio only, call 646-558-8656 (meeting ID: 891 6404 8291).
From the Immigration Justice Team:
Urgent "Act for Justice" Request
Bernie Carver, Immigration Justice Team Chair
Title 42 refers to a policy from the previous administration that allows our government to expedite the return of asylum seekers to Mexico while their claims are being processed. Since the policy does not apply to children, desperate parents are sending unaccompanied family members to the border to escape horrific conditions. Last week, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Fillipo Grandi, appealed to the US government to swiftly "restore access to asylum for the people whose lives depend on it, in line with international legal and human rights obligations.” We of the Immigration Justice Team ask that you add your voice to ours and Commissioner Grandi's by completing the following action: (You may use your own words if you prefer.)
Contact: President Biden at (202) 456-1111 or via whitehouse.gov. Script: Hello, I’m [calling/writing] from [zip] in opposition to Title 42, which allows border agents to bypass normal immigration laws and rapidly expel aspiring Americans at the southern border without due process. This policy disregards our constitutional duty to provide asylum to those seeking refuge in our country, and sends vulnerable individuals and families to await their hearings in dangerous border towns. I am asking President Biden to end the use of Title 42 and restore due process for those who seek refuge in our nation.
Knitting/Crocheting Group to Meet June 1
Please join our Zoom group of knitters and crocheters on Tuesday, June 1 from 7 – 8 p.m. You can use this Zoom link: bit.ly/3qKUgLa. At any given meeting we are a group of 4 – 12 with a level of experience that runs the spectrum; we’re all working on different projects. We enjoy “show and tell” and discuss various patterns we have used and places to buy yarn. We hope you’ll consider joining this very friendly, low-key group. Eventually we hope to meet in person and perhaps share help and tips. Questions can be sent to Linda Graves, graveslmj@gmail.com.
FUUSB Annual Meeting on June 6
Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance
Once again, this year's annual meeting will be held on Zoom! By this time, if you are a voting member, you should have received the annual meeting warning by mail. This year we will be voting on three items: 1) Approve the minutes from last year's annual meeting, 2) Approve the slate of nominations, and 3) Approve the 2021/2022 Fiscal Year Budget. We need to have at least 45 members at the meeting to reach a quorum, so please plan to attend on Sunday, June 6 at 11 a.m. at this Zoom link: bit.ly/3y8h8sA. If you do not have internet access, you may call in to the meeting at (929) 205-6099 (meeting ID: 937 3974 2046, passcode: 379132.
Sunday Worship will also be held via Zoom at the same link, followed by the annual meeting.
We hope to make this year’s annual meeting a bit easier than last year. We will be voting by using the “Raise Your Hand” feature in Zoom. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Zoom, we will walk you through it at the beginning of the meeting. If you have more than one voting member in your household, you may wish to log on to different devices so that we can count both of your votes.
You can find links to the Summary Budget, the Annual Meeting Warning, and the Annual Report on our website at uusociety.org/members/meeting-minutes.
We look forward to seeing you!
Monthly Interfaith Anti-Racism Vigil
Zoe Hart, Racial Justice Team
With the gradual loosening of COVID-19 guidelines, we are able to resume our monthly anti-racism vigils. On the first Sunday of each month, we join with other faith communities in Burlington and around Vermont in standing together in faith against racism. The vigil begins at 1 p.m. and goes until 1:30. We will have as many signs as we can supply from our regular Love & Justice signs, but you're invited to bring your own as well. Given that not everyone has been able to be vaccinated, we ask that all participants wear a mask during the vigil. Please join us Sunday, June 6 at 1 p.m.
Beyond These Walls Update
Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance
We are still collecting contributions to the Beyond These Walls campaign so that we can purchase and install equipment to live-stream our services. Many of you were able to join us for the evening of entertainment a few weeks ago and contributed at that time. But even if you missed the show, you can still contribute to this important cause. And keep your eyes and ears open because there just might be another chance for you to see the show! Please contribute if you can; every little bit helps. Contribute at onrealm.org/FirstUUSociety/-/give/beyond.
Scheduling Outdoor Gatherings at FUUSB
Mary Williams, Society Administrator
From May through July this summer, small groups may schedule outdoor gatherings in the Memorial Garden or lawn (maximum 25 people). If your team would like to schedule a gathering, please submit the Outdoor Space Use Request Form which can be found at uusociety.org/information/space-use. We are asking groups using outdoor spaces to follow current State of Vermont Universal Guidance. For questions, please contact Mary at mary@uusociety.org or 862-5630, ext. 2100.
We expect to begin scheduling indoor space use for small groups in August. In the meantime, if an individual needs access to the Meeting House, please contact David McFeeters, Facilities Manager, at david@uusociety.org or 862-5630, ext. 2300. We ask that anyone entering the building wear a mask.
UUA General Assembly - Register Now!
Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance
The annual gathering of UUA member congregations, General Assembly (GA), will be June 23-27. This event will once again be totally online, which means it's easier than ever to participate. Those of us who attended last year's online GA found it to be one of the best GA's ever! The registration fee is minimal, there are no travel expenses, and you can easily pick and choose which workshops and events you want to attend.
Registration - Registration is $200. The UUA website has financial aid opportunities, and FUUSB also has some scholarships available for members who wish to participate. If you would like a FUUSB scholarship to pay your registration fee, please email Christina at xina@uusociety.org.
Delegates - Each congregation receives a number of delegates based on their certified membership number. Delegates are the official voting representatives for our congregation and are able to vote at all business meetings at GA. If you are interested in becoming a delegate for FUUSB at this GA, please email xina@uusociety.org.
Programs - In addition to Business Meetings, GA offers a ton of great programming, including Workshops, Worship Services, Lectures, and Children & Youth programs. Please check out all that GA has to offer.
This year's GA Theme is Circle 'Round for Justice, Healing, Courage. It promises to be a wonderful time to gather with other UUs across the nation. We hope you will consider registering for this inspiring event. Please reach out to Rev. Tricia, Christina, or Erika if you'd like to know more about GA.
Online Joys and Sorrows Form
An online Joys & Sorrows form is available atthis link, and in each week's eNews. Joys & Sorrows will be shared in our Sunday services as much as possible. Since online services are available publicly on the FUUSB YouTube channel, we will not read full names or personal details. Thank you!
Offices Closed for Memorial Day
On Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, FUUSB staff will be off for the holiday. We wish everyone a good holiday weekend.
VIA Corrections Reform Action
Much has been written in the press about conditions at the Chittenden Regional Corrections Facility in South Burlington, Vermont’s only prison for women. The Organizing Committee that focuses on Corrections Reform has been doing research for months and is ready to have an Action!
The Commissioner of the Dept. of Corrections and the members of the Joint Legislative Judiciary Oversight Committee are coming to listen to a research report, hear stories from people who have experienced the system firsthand, and respond to requests for steps to create a corrections system that values a Culture of Wellness for residents and staff alike.
Please join us by Zoom on Wednesday, June 2 from 6:30-8 pm to show your support for these changes to the corrections system. Please register here: bit.ly/3vYQjFg.
Join us at 10 a.m. live on Zoom at bit.ly/3y8h8sA, followed by the Annual Meeting at 11 a.m. at the same Zoom link. For audio only, call (929) 205-6099 (meeting ID: 937 3974 2046, passcode: 379132).